The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Chapter 205

"...Are you implying that, since I haven’t shared my thoughts with Your Majesty, you won’t share yours either?"

“Well, I wouldn’t phrase it quite like that.”

The Emperor chuckled, his tone almost playful.

"Perhaps you did tell me a few things, but I simply chose not to remember them."

"..."

I had no response to that.

No, wait—I did have something to say.

Seriously? You’re the Emperor. The man at the pinnacle of this vast empire. In the original story, you were the ambitious figure who declared you’d bring the entire world to heel and create a perfectly equal society under your rule.

And yet, you’re sulking because your daughter didn’t share every little thought with you? Even if you truly believe we’re your real children, as you claim, you’re an Emperor first and foremost. It’s not like anyone else knows about your supposed paternal sentiments.

"Hmm."

Though I tried my best to maintain a neutral expression, the Emperor seemed to catch a flicker of dissatisfaction.

Well, considering how long he’s known me—longer than Alice, even—it wasn’t surprising that he could read my face.

"If we both start speaking freely, there will be much to discuss. Let’s exchange information one piece at a time. May I ask the first question?"

He was going to ask regardless of my permission, so I nodded stiffly. The Emperor smirked mischievously before speaking.

"Why did you bring so much luggage on the train?"

"What luggage are you referring to?"

"I’m talking about the items you personally hid. You leveraged your status as a princess to enlist the help of Imperial knights and smuggled in an arsenal. Some of those items are far too excessive for use against people."

The Emperor stroked his well-groomed golden beard, his voice laced with intrigue.

"What? You brought weapons?"

Alice, who had been silently listening to our conversation, gasped in shock.

"..."

When I glanced away, avoiding her gaze, Alice’s expression grew even more incredulous.

"Wait. Are you telling me you smuggled unauthorized weapons into another country? Weapons beyond what the knights and we might use in combat? And you did this while attending as Charlotte’s guest?"

Um...

Well, when she put it like that...

"I had no intention of using them against the Kingdom of Belvur."

"Yet you brought them into Belvurian territory," the Emperor interjected smoothly.

Silence fell over the room.

Alice inhaled sharply, her breath trembling as she exhaled. Then, marching up to me, she grabbed my collar.

"What were you thinking—!"

"I simply intended to... gather... information..."

Alice shook me so hard that my words came out fragmented.

"Gather information?! Gather infoooormaaation?!"

"Alice, calm down," the Emperor interjected.

Alice reluctantly released my collar and took a step back, though her breathing remained heavy.

...Maybe I should’ve told her beforehand?

Then again, she probably would’ve insisted on coming with me—or tried to stop me. Judging by her current reaction, the latter seemed more likely.

"I’ve answered your question, Your Majesty. It’s your turn now," I said, steadying myself.

The Emperor shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ask away. If it’s something I can answer, I will."

I wanted to ask if there was anything the Emperor couldn’t answer but held back. After all, I hadn’t disclosed everything either, and he knew it.

So I decided to address the most pressing matter.

"Is Your Majesty’s presence here preparation for war?"

Alice’s jaw dropped further, as if it might unhinge.

Her fingers twitched slightly, as if she was debating whether to lunge at her father next. Then again, he was her father.

"No," the Emperor said firmly.

"Are you certain? You’re not planning to start a world war?"

"How could I, when you’re here watching my every move? Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d already uncovered all of the Empire’s military secrets. Even if I tried to keep plans from you, you would’ve found out. And if that happened, do you think I’d still be sitting here talking to you?"

"..."

He had a point.

"Of course, I once thought about it. Ten years ago, I considered the possibility that unifying the world under my rule might bring peace. Whether it was feasible or not, I believed there was a chance."

Something felt off.

This didn’t align with what I remembered from before.

The words were similar, but the tone was different.